I I THE PURPOSE OF THE CHOIR Twas very natural that when public worship in the Christian Church began to evolve from the secret meeting in some obscure chamber into a more dignified and stately public form, that there should be a sense that congregational singing with its limitations and shortcomings was not ample. The idea lay on the very surface, that the best singers of the congregation should be gathered together to sing songs and hymns that were not within the capacity of the great multitude. With the ascetic influence that soon began to take hold of the Church, the step to the choir made up of men and boys only was an easy one, and the further development into a choir made up of the lower clergy was equally logical. The result was that with the elaboration of the church music, the musical part of the service fell more and more into the hands of these choirs and the congregations were more and more shut out from participation. The same influence has been felt in our own day when artistic quartet choirs have so absorbed the whole musical service, or at least have set so high a standard, that any other seemed unworthy beside that which they furnished. In such cases congregational singing becomes a thing of the past. Moody says of such a church: "I once went to a church to hold a meeting. The choir sang one fine hymn after another, and the people could not join. Well, I thought I would get the better of the choir and have all sing. So I asked for Rock of Ages,' when bless your soul! they started it in a tune I had never heard before, and none save the choir sang again." The fact that the choir is subject to abuse and has been seriously detrimental to the religious and spiritual life of the congregation is no reason why it should not be used within proper limits and bounds. It is like fire, a good servant, but a poor master. If it becomes a matter of pride, its governing motive will infect the whole church life. A choir, self-absorbed in its own work, with only artistic ideals to consider, will soon turn the most spiritual church into a mere religious club. But a good choir, devoted to spiritual things, skilfully used by a spiritual pastor, can be made an engine of power for good. The value of a good chorus choir has been recognized in all parts and ages of the Christian Church, even in the most unexpected places. Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe in her " Poganuc People" very sympathetically and graphically describes the effect of good choir music on stern New England Puritans: "Whatever the trained musician might say of such a tune as old Majesty,' no person of imagination or sensibility could hear it well rendered by a large choir without deep emotion. And when back and forth from every side of the church came the different parts shouting, 'On cherubim and seraphim Full royally He rode, And on the wings of mighty winds there came a stir and thrill through many a stern and hard nature, until the tempest is cleared off in the words,― |